2021 Porsche Panamera

The 2021 Porsche Panamera is offered in a myriad of trim levels and configurations which can make choosing a single one confusing. The models getting the base V6 are divided into three trims- Panamera, Panamera 4, and the Panamera 4 Executive. The base trim comes with a plethora of features inside the cabin and leaves very little room to opt for the higher trims unless necessary. The Executive model of the base trim is practically the longer wheelbase model with no changes in features but comes with a slightly better rear-seat legroom and cargo capacity. The legendary Sports Chrono package is available right from the base trim and it quickens the acceleration time by a slight margin. Some of the standalone additional features include Adaptive cruise control, Surround-view camera system, Four-zone automatic climate control, Night vision camera system, Ventilated seats, and massaging seats among others.

Which trim should you buy?

We would recommend the base trim since it offers a plethora of features. You can opt for the Panamera 4 trim if you need the practicality of AWD and the 4 Executive in case you wish to have even more space at the rear seats.

The 2021 Porsche Panamera fuel economy ratings are not at all impressive despite it getting an all-new and more efficient powertrain for this year. The powertrain employs some advanced techs such as Direct fuel injection and VarioCam Plus systems yet the results are barely at par with the segment. The sedan returns an average of 18mpg within urban limits and 24mpg out on the highways. The combined mileage is rated at 20mpg. With a sizable gas tank of 23 gallons, the sedan returns some decent driving range numbers however the fuel economy ratings drop with the Sports Chrono package and entirely depend on the driving style.

The Mercedes-Benz S500 has some impressive fuel economy numbers considering its power output numbers and all those heft it carries around. It comes fitted with a slightly smaller gas tank measuring about 22.1 gallons but it delivers a better driving range than the Panamera. The BMW 7 Series takes the top spot in terms of fuel economy and offers marginally better mileage ratings than the S500. The Audi A8 is the sole contender with utterly disappointing gas mileage ratings and it is mostly due to its excessive curb weight. Its mileage ratings are even lower than the Panamera’s and the overall driving range on offer from the sedan is acceptable at the most.

The cabin of the 2021 Porsche Panamera is definitely a nice place to be in. It comes in a 4-seater configuration as standard with an option for a middle seat at the rear. The cabin is wrapped in premium quality leather and the minimal exposed surfaces are made up of steel or covered in soft-touch materials. The overall fit and finish levels are impeccable and the features like dual-zone automatic climate control with separate temperature settings for the driver and the front co-passenger and heated front seats take the experience to a whole new level.

There are several optional features such as Quad-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, ventilation, and massaging function for the rear seats which ensure that your passengers enjoy the ride as much as you do. The roofline is quite low as compared to the rivals and even though the interior dimensions are not known, it can be guessed that the headroom is adequate at the most. The cargo capacity is generous at 17.6 cu-ft and the height-adjustable power liftgate makes loading and unloading of luggage and cargo items a breeze.

The Mercedes-Benz S500 has a futuristic cabin with a state-of-the-art design theme along with a rich blend of wood and leather covering all the surfaces of the interior. The features on offers are significantly more than what the Panamera offers but it is quite obvious since it is aimed to offer the best possible comfort. It also offers a better cargo capacity than the Panamera as well. The BMW 7 Series is as spacious as the S Class but its design theme is more classy rather than futuristic and flashy as the latter. The 7 Series’s cabin is tastefully covered in premium leather and it gets a driver-oriented dashboard design which is a nice touch. The Audi A8 gets a rich and elegant cabin with very few buttons and an abundance of touch screens and touch interfaces to take care of the controls. It offers the best rear-seat space and it can be extended with the A8 L variant.

Some interior features are:

• 8-Way Power-Adjustable Bucket front Seats 
• Manual Tilt and Telescoping Steering Column
• Proximity Key For Push Button Start Only
• Remote Keyless Entry w/Integrated Key Transmitter, 
• Illuminated Entry, Ignition Switch, and Panic Button
• Door armrest front center console with integrated storage compartment
• Multifunction steering wheel with shift-paddles with smooth-finish leather
• Automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors
• High Gloss Black interior trim
• Door sill guards in brushed aluminum with the model designation on the front
• Two USB charging ports in the rear
• 12V plug socket in the front center console storage compartment
• Floor mats

 What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2021 Porsche Panamera sedan comes with a standard 12.3-inch touch screen infotainment display that incorporates the Porsche Communication Management user interface. The system is smooth and offers a seamless experience but the controls can be overly complex to use while driving.

The infotainment system offers some standard features such as navigation, Apple CarPlay, satellite radio with HD Radio, and a Hi-Fi audio system with 10-speakers. There is also a voice control function for ease of use and it works flawlessly at all times.

Some standout infotainment features are:

• Porsche Communication Management with 12.3-inch touchscreen display
• Bluetooth, USB, and Aux-in
• Online Navigation Module
• Wireless internet access
• Porsche Car Connect 
• Hi-fi sound system with 10 speakers with 150-watts output
• Wireless Apple CarPlay 
• Wired Android Auto
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio 
• HD Radio Receiver
• Voice Control

The 2021 Porsche Panamera looks like an elongated sports car rather than a full-size sedan. From the front, it carries the same design theme as its other siblings but the attractive LED headlamp units with the PDLS system is a real charmer. Apart from that, the front end looks sleek while the side profile looks sporty with a low-slung design.

The windows get a proper chrome treatment around the borders while the rear end looks spectacular with the adaptive rear spoiler and the full LED taillights. It has a comparatively shorter wheelbase as compared to the rivals but it allows the sedan to achieve its sporty character. The ground clearance is decent at 5.3 inches.

The Mercedes-Benz S500 comes with the brand’s new design language and looks quite aggressive with some sharp styling cues. The S500 gets a standard 4-wheel steering system as well which allows for a reduced turning radius. The S500 also offers standard all-LED headlamps and taillamps which look cool. The BMW 7 Series looks the weirdest with that huge and ugly front grille but has a seamless design otherwise. The Audi A8 has the best and most aggressive design among the rivals here and there are very few competitors in the class that can actually match the oozing elegance and aggressiveness of the A8 sedan.

Some standout exterior features are:

• Fully galvanized steel and aluminum hybrid lightweight bodyshell
• Panoramic roof system
• Stepless door stay hinge
• Windshield washer system with rain sensor
• Electrically adjustable, folding, and heated exterior mirrors
• Side window trim in Black
• Automatic height-adjustable rear hatch
• Adaptive rear spoiler
• Twin single-tube tailpipes
• High Gloss Silver trim side skirts 

The 2021 Porsche Panamera doesn’t have any crash test ratings which are common for vehicles carrying a price tag similar to the Panamera’s. Despite that, the sedan features a strong build quality and comes with a handsome list of safety features along with some available advanced safety techs as well. Some of the safety techs include a Rearview camera, Lane departure warning, and Lane Keep Assist. Some of the available safety techs include a Surround-view parking camera system, Adaptive headlights, and Automatic emergency braking among others.

Some standout safety techs include:

• Porsche Side Impact Protection System 
• Full-size airbags for driver and front passenger
• Knee airbags for driver and front passenger
• Front side airbags
• Rear side airbags
• Curtain airbags along the entire roof frame
• LATCH child seat mounting system
• Engine immobilizer with remote central locking 
• ParkAssist
• Lane Keep Assis with Traffic Sign Recognition

Porsche Panamera vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The Mercedes-Benz S Class has literally defined the standards of the full-size luxury sedan segment and the band has kept the tradition alive by constantly updating the sedan with the most advanced techs and gizmos available out there.

The 2021 S Class comes with a futuristic cabin and design which mainly focuses on offering the best possible comfort and luxury one can ask for. The Panamera falls short in front of the ultra-luxurious S Class but offers a nice blend of comfort and performance which is a dream for the latter.

Porsche Panamera vs Audi A8

The Audi A8, like the S Class, focuses mainly on the comfort and luxury aspects but also has a head-turning exterior design to boast about. It has one of the best interior designs in terms of aesthetics and user-friendliness and has supremely comfortable back seats as well.

The Porsche Panamera might not look the part but poses as a better alternative with a fuel-efficient motor and superior driving dynamics.

Porsche Panamera vs BMW 7 Series

Yes, BMW messed up big time while designing the new 7 Series by slapping on that ugly and huge front grille, but on the inside, it is supremely luxurious and comfortable like the A8 and the S Class.

Its interior design is not that flashy or futuristic like the S Class or the A8 yet it follows a more classy design language with a driver-oriented dashboard. The Porsche Panamera might not match up to it in terms of sheer comfort and luxuries but it sure has a sporty driving experience and track-worthy performance to boast.

The Porsche Panamera is aimed purely at performance enthusiasts who also want a fair bit of comfort and luxury while on the go. The sedan has a near-perfect blend of sporty handling and a comfortable ride owing to the PASM and adaptive dampers while the legendary Sports Chrono package enhances the experience further. Apart from being sporty and track-worthy, the sedan is quite practical too with a generous trunk and a big electronically-operated height-adjustable liftgate. Overall, if you’re a huge fan of the Porsche tag and desire a comfortable sedan that performs and handles like a sports car, the Panamera is the one to go for.